FORTE [fawr-tey]

a person's strong suit, or most highly developed characteristic, talent, or skill; something that one excels in

Our Mission: To aid in the development of young women, while empowering them to strive towards self-actualization in sports and their greater lives.

ABOUT US

At Forte, our primary focus is to develop young women through sport, while empowering them to strive towards self-actualization in their greater lives.

We are a business created by women, for women. We believe in the unparalleled mentorship opportunity from women who have experienced similar paths as the players they are training, while also bringing diverse backgrounds and knowledge. Through a highly engaged team and desire to grow the game, our goal is to continually enhance the athletic experience for young female athletes. By providing meaningful and intentional training opportunities, we intend to help grow, mentor, and foster development for girls through sport."

Our programming is meant to help players find their voice, understand the impact of positive self-talk, rise as leaders, and positively impact others in the future.

The Details

Grades: rising 8th - 12th graders

Who is this for?

Players looking to build on their foundational skill sets of shooting, skating, and passing, to keep them sharp during the off season.

What is the emphasis?

Summer skill sessions are designed to help athletes refine and improve their game specific skills. The sessions are intentionally designed to address skills needed in competition to be successful and compete at the next level. With high coach to player ratio, athletes get tailored feedback and opportunities to work on skills and tactics that will benefit them on all areas of the ice.

When?

January 2024
Sunday January 7th 7:15 - 8:15 pm
Sunday January 14th 7:15 - 8:15 pm
Sunday January 21st 4:45 - 5:45 pm
Sunday January 28th 4:45 - 5:45 pm

Who is this for?

Players looking to develop in a high pace, high repetition environment!
Note: groups will be separated by age division.

What is the emphasis?

Our goal is to fine tune specific skills during the winter season. Players will be able to add and improve individual skills around shooting, puck handling, angling, agility and much more to their repertoire. They can then bring these individuals skills back to their winter teams to have a higher level of impact.

These drills will take place in small groups and there will be a high coach to player ratio to ensure lots of feedback and provide a great learning environment.

When?
To be released at a future date.

Who is this for?

Our goal is to fine tune specific skills that supplement other hockey training. Players will be able to add and improve individual skills around shooting, puck handling, angling, agility and much more to their repertoire. This will help prepare players at an individual level for various spring events, tryouts, etc. as well as summer hockey training.

These drills will take place in small groups and there will be a high coach to player ratio to ensure lots of feedback and provide a great learning environment.

When?
June 4th - 6th
Camp will start as early as 3:45 pm each day of camp

Who is this for?

Rising 9th, 10th and 11th graders interested in playing at the next levels!
Graduating years of 2026, 2027 and 2028.
*Goalie specific training included in this camp/clinic

What is the emphasis?
This is an elite college camp created to develop stronger one-on-one interactions and relationships with college coaches. This allows for a better sense of what it looks like to get collegiate level coaching, both on and off the ice. This is a small 4 team camp to ensure a high coach to player ratio. The camp is filled with many touch points including running practices, video sessions around systems and individual/team development, locker room chalk talks and on bench coaching for scrimmages.

What is included?

  • 2 practice sessions with current Division 1 College Coaches
  • 2 games coached by current Division 1 College Coaches
  • Attendance by current Division 1 college coaches at all scrimmages
  • Video presentations by Division 1 College Coaches. Past topics include: physicality at the next level, offensive concepts, leadership and personal values, defensive/goalie concepts, amongst others.

When?

To be released at a future date.

Who is this for?

Teams that are looking to work with college coaches in a comfortable, engaging environment. This camp is tailored towards players looking to play at the next level! This camp is for those in graduation years of 2025 and 2026.

What is the emphasis?

This is an elite camp created and developed with the hopes of allowing athletes the opportunity to work with college coaches in an interactive environment. This allows for a better sense of what it looks like to get collegiate level coaching, both on and off the ice. The camp is filled with many touch points including running practices, video sessions around systems and individual/team development, and locker room chalk talks.

What is included?

  • Intermixed practices ran by current Division 1 College Coaches
  • Scrimmages attended by college coaches
  • Video presentations, panels and speakers touching on a variety of topics. Past topics include: hockey specific teaching video, team culture/values, sport psychology, olympian panels and more.

WHY THE EMPHASIS ON SKILL WORK?

Skill development lays the framework for individuals to be successful once they engage in competition. Often times, players bypass fundamental skill development so that they can participate in more practices and games that do not provide the tactical development they need to heighten their game.

At Forte, we believe that working on the finite parts of a players games leads to greater success for both individuals and within groups. When players can dedicate specific time and energy to skill work, they are laying the foundation to perform at their highest levels in game situations.

SKILLS ADDRESSED DURING FORTE SKILLS SESSIONS

  • Lateral movement with and without the puck
  • Deception, delays and escapes
  • Shooting with quick release, change of angle, etc.
  • Dynamic footwork
  • Puck protection skills
  • Systematic concepts such as zone entry options and breakout skills
  • Under handling and puck skills
  • Various other skill specific drills as requested

MEET THE COACHES

Bethany Brausen

Bethany Brausen

  • Current Associate Head Coach at University of St. Thomas
  • Over 10 years of coaching experience, including youth development, high school, and the collegiate level
  • Former collegiate athlete at the University of Minnesota
  • 2-time captain at the University of Minnesota

Other Hockey Related Experience:

  • Former assistant coach at Breck School
  • Involved with USA Hockey National Camps and Minnesota Development Camps
  • High Performance (HP) Evaluator

Education Credentials:

  • Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from the University of Minnesota
  • Masters Degree in Counseling Psychology from the University of Minnesota
  • Current PhD student in the Organizational Leadership Policy & Development Program at the University of Minnesota

MEET THE COACHES

Whitney Colbert

Whitney Colbert

  • Current head coach at Hamline University
  • Current USA Hockey Women’s National Team event scout
  • Former assistant coach with the Chinese National Program
  • Assistant Coach at Union College (NCAA DI) 2016-2019
  • Assistant Coach at Connecticut College (NCAA DIII) 2014-2016
  • Former collegiate athlete at Trinity College

Other Hockey Related Experience:

  • USA Hockey district evaluations for New York State, New England, Multi-District camp
  • USA Hockey National Camps: Head Coach, Skills Coach, Operations assistant and intern 2013-2019

Education Credentials:

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from Trinity College
  • Masters Degree in Sports Leadership from Northeastern University

MEET THE COACHES

Ronda Curtin Engelhardt

Ronda Curtin Engelhardt

  • Current North American Amateur Scout for Nashville Predators (NHL)
  • Current mental skills and life coach for athletes from high school to professionals
  • Former co head coach MN Whitecaps (NWHL)
    • 2018 Isobel Cup Champions
  • Current North American Amateur Scout for Nashville Predators (NHL)
  • Current mental skills and life coach for athletes from high school to professionals
  • Former head coach with the Chinese National Program
  • Former head coach at Breck School
    • 2018 State Champions
  • Former assistant coach at University of St Thomas (NCAA DIII)

Other Hockey Related Experience:

  • Over 15 years of coaching experience, from youth development to international level
  • Former collegiate athlete at the University of Minnesota
    • National Champion; Team Captain
  • 2x All American, 2x WCHA Defensive Players of the year; WCHA Player of the Year

Education Credentials:

  • Bachelor's Degree in Psychology; Minor in Leadership from University of Minnesota
  • Masters Degree in School Counseling
  • Certification in Applied Positive Psychology

MEET THE COACHES

Angela Girtz

Angela Girtz

  • Former assistant coach with the Chinese National Program
  • Former assistant coach at Breck School
    • 2018 State Champions
  • Over 10 years of coaching experience, including youth, high school, and international
  • Former collegiate athlete at Saint Anselm College
    • ECAC Women’s Open Champion; Team Captain
    • ECAC All Conference Team; Leadership Committee
    • Most Improved Player Award

Other Hockey Related Experience:

  • Upper Midwest HS - Elite League Hockey Coach and Evaluator
  • OS Hockey on ice and bench instructor
  • High Performance (HP) Evaluator

Education Credentials:

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Business from Saint Anselm College

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